Obituary of Roland H. Bender

BENDER ROLAND Roland H. Bender, age 77, of Menno, SD passed away Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Freeman Regional Health Services, Freeman, SD. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at Peace Christian Reformed Church, Menno, SD with Rev. Steve Moerman officiating. Burial will be in the Menno Cemetery with Military graveside rites by the Rames-Bender American Legion Post #152 and the SDARNGHG. Visitations will be 5:00 PM, to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at the Peace Christian Reformed Church, Menno, SD and then one hour prior to the service at the church. The Aisenbrey-Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Menno, SD is assisting with the service details. Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. Pallbearers are his grandchildren: Tracy Perry, Robert Perry, Jonathan Kirschenman, Robert Kirschenman, Samuel Bender and Levi Bender. Honorary pallbearers are his youngest grandchildren Abigail Bender; Ashlyn, Isaac and Eli Bender, and great grandchildren Colin, Devin and Kaiden Perry. Roland Herbert Bender, also known as “Roly” to his many close friends, was born January 18, 1939 to Herbert and Otillie (Bertsch) Bender on the farm southeast of Menno SD. He was baptized March 1, 1939 by Rev K J Stuebbe and confirmed on June 21, 1953 by Rev. Kaempchen at Salem Reformed Church in Menno. Roland attended school in rural Menno through the eighth grade. He farmed and worked for others until he was drafted into the US Army in 1961. While stationed at Fort Sill, OK he met and married Patricia Horner in Duncan, OK on July 21, 1963. To this union four children were born: Annabelle, Timothy, Henry and William. After his service in the army, Roland and Pat came to Menno where Roland was engaged in farming until the time of his death. In addition to spending time with his wife, Roland enjoyed tractor pulls, gardening, farm sales, jig saw puzzles, Sudoku and time with his children and grandchildren—often playing dominos and other board games, or simply watching their activities. He believed his family was his greatest riches. His children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews will always remember his giant Easter basket. Roland seldom owned new things for the simple fact that he could fix almost anything. The oldest of eleven children, Roland was a strong, patient, loving Christian man, often putting the needs of others before himself. For many years, he was a Sunday school teacher and served as SS Superintendent, he also was a Deacon in the church. Roland is survived by his wife Pat of 52 years. Four children: Annabelle (Mike) Budde of Wyoming, MN, Timothy Bender and Henry (Janelle) Bender of Menno, SD and William (Rebecca) Bender of Winfield, IA; nine grandchildren, Tracy (Robert) Perry of Wyoming, MN, Jonathan Kirschenman of Maple Grove, MN, Robert Kirschenman of Rockford, MN; Samuel, Levi & Abigail Bender of Menno, SD; Ashlyn, Isaac & Eli Bender of Winfield, IA, as well as three great grandchildren, Colin, Devin & Kaiden Perry of Wyoming, MN; siblings Viola York, Leon Bender, Robert York, John York, Charles York, Donna Reiser, Fern Richie, Patricia Hobraugh, and Mavis Craig and numerous nieces and nephews. Proceeding him in death are his parents Herbert and Otillie, step father Herman York and Sister Margie Lippert; as well as father and mother in law Arlie and Willie Mae Horner.